We are a nation of chocophiles. Those that can’t appreciate our obsession may call us chocoholics. There’s no curing the legions that save room for dessert no matter what the time of day. In fact the nearest 12-step program which many in this condition subscribe to is to never be more than 12 steps away from chocolate. We love chocolate in all shapes, sizes and forms. American’s consume $14 billion annually worth of the sweet. That averages out to about 12 pounds of chocolate for each one of us. That figure seems low. Some research reports state that Americans eat 100 pounds of chocolate every second. Is that possible? Whether it is or not the statistic places us firmly in eighth place in world consumption— half the level of the world’s leading chocolate lovers, the Swiss.

Many of us have personal stories that characterize what chocolate means to us. Our tastes varying from simple to sophisticated often as we mature and are able to educate ourselves through travel, dining and a general taste for culinary adventure. The protagonist of these tales is the star ingredient, chocolate appreciated for all its rich, almost earthy and sensual qualities.

My own love affair with chocolate began in a very American way with my first bite of a simple, chocolate bar—Hershey. No nuts please just the pure smooth milk chocolate with the letters carved into the top. I would eat alternately from the ends until the word “she” appeared. I would then tuck the rest away until later. I remember the validation I felt when I saw “Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory”. Now there’s a man after my own chocolate-covered heart. Evil and sinister as he was. Over the years chocolate has helped me handle many good and bad events in my life such as college exams, ex-boyfriends, bad bosses, Valentine’s days, new jobs, a loss of ten pounds. Chocolate has always been a reliable, trustworthy companion.

We marvel and fascinate when tempted by the richness and flavor of a dessert or candy containing chocolate. We adore chocolate. With gentle prodding conversations can rise to a buzzing swirl to include memories of past seductions with tales that begin with, “…the best I ever had…” or my ultimate chocolate fantasy is…” Nothing makes people smile with wordless bliss and child-like delight as this elixir.

Our enthusiasm for chocolate can range from elegant black tie affair such as a chocolate brandy trifle served on fine bone china to a simple early morning awakening over a strong brewed coffee accompanied by a flaky warm buttery croissant wrapped around warm, smoky bittersweet chocolate. Just the words can make our pulses quicken and mouths water. And the lengths we’ll go to acquire our fixes whether it’s through candy bars, cookies, cakes, pies, drinks, breads and sauces. If there’s a dessert on the menu, whether a corner deli or a five star establishment, with chocolate as the featured ingredient there’s always room. After all it could very well be better than all the rest that have come before.

Chocolate plays a central role in many of our lives to express gratitude, love, regrets, guilt, friendship, reward and celebration. In whatever form or shape chocolate can speak for us when we are at a loss for words. Chocolate given as a gift of achievement says you’ve earned it. A heart-shaped box of chocolate signifies how precious, coveted and exceptional one’s love is for the other. Each chocolate confection is a delicious and dramatic one-of-a-kind gesture. We commemorate really grand events with chocolate—birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, marriages, holidays, a perfect expression to celebrate and capture the spirit of the day. Small indulgences that carry you through life’s ups and downs with grand rewards.